ITANAGAR, May 10 - Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu launched the 1 MWp Solar Power Plant � first of its kind in the State � at the Energy Awareness Park near Indira Gandhi Park here on Thursday.
The project �Installation of 1 MWp Grid Connected Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant� was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 8.50 crore with Arunachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency (APEDA) being the implementing agency. It was funded under the �incentive grant� under 13th Finance Commission.
In his inaugural speech, the Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of APEDA in making use of solar power to generate energy and in feeding power to the grid, which will cut down energy costs.
He said, as the world grapples with global warming, the use of renewable sources of energy is the best way to prevent it and emphasised on activities, which are environment friendly.
Citing PM Narendra Modi�s initiative to provide power to all under Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana �Saubhagya�, Khandu said that under the leadership of Modi, the country is looking towards green energy and slowly phasing out use of non-renewable sources of energy.
Suggesting the APEDA to venture out with such projects in other places of the State, Khandu encouraged the Govt departments on use of solar power. He also vowed State Government�s support in case of innovations that are environment-friendly.
Earlier, giving a brief on the project, APEDA Director Er Marki Loya said the biggest solar project so far installed in Arunachal Pradesh is feeding the power generated into 11 KV grid network of Department of Power. Depending on weather condition and solar radiation, the generation starts at 5.30 am till 6 pm. It has attained a peak generation of 1.07 MW and the energy generated from the date of its commissioning on April 1 till today is more than one lakh unit and the deemed carbon dioxide reduction by this plant so far is 78 tonnes.
The plant is totally automatic and unmanned one. It automatically switches on getting sunshine and grid is available and switches off when either sunshine or grid supply or both are not available.
Among others, Power & Industries Minister Tamiyo Taga, APEDA chairman Wanglam Sawin and Commissioner, Power & Non-Renewable Energy Sources Kaling Tayeng were also present on the occasion.